DRA has a long history of supporting sustainable agriculture through policies that invest in regenerative practices, new and beginning farmers, and local food systems.

Our food and farm system have become extremely consolidated between few corporations. The result is a monopoly system that does not give producers control of their pricing. We believe several policy strategies can help alleviate these challenges. On the consumer side, consolidation prevents transparency and choice in the food we can access.

In order to achieve the farm and food system we want to see, we demand a farm bill that:

1. Stops Subsidizing Factory Farms: The next Farm Bill should stop subsidizing factory farm manure management, including the false solution of manure digesters. Investing in manure biogas locks in more years of factory farms, gas pipelines and gas-burning energy systems, and directs conservation dollars to factory farms, while small farms are shut out of these popular programs.

2. Restores Competition in Livestock and Poultry Markets: The next Farm Bill should include a competition title that corrects the damage done by extreme consolidation, including Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for Beef, Pork, and Dairy, A Ban Packer Ownership of Livestock and Captive Supply Arrangements, and Limits on Commodity Checkoff Funding for Lobbying

3. Modernized Grain Reserves: The factory farm system depends on the vicious cycle of overproduction of grains to provide cheap feed. The next Farm Bill should reduce volatility, tamp down overproduction and provide a stable, fair price for producers.

4. Prioritizes Better Production: The next Farm Bill should continue federal investments in small meat and poultry processing infrastructure. But this investment in new plants will be wasted without additional efforts to level the playing field by enforcing competition rules and creating new market opportunities for independent producers through government procurement.

5. Reduces Barriers to Nourishing Food for Families: SNAP not only helps individuals and families meet their basic needs, but it also boosts the economy. The majority of SNAP benefits are used within three weeks of receipt, which is a strong investment in local economies. Every dollar spent on SNAP can generate between $1.50 to $1.80 in economic activity during an economic downturn. Studies show that children who benefit from SNAP early in life experience increased educational attainment, improved job prospects, and better overall well-being as adults. Cutting SNAP would undermine both short-term and long-term economic benefits and harm local economies, especially in rural and low-income communities. (Food & Research Action Center)